Improvement in measures for hats and caps



W. J. VAN HORNE. Measure for Hats and Caps.

No. 200,364. Patented Feb. 12,1878.

N. PETERS, PHDTD-UTHOGRAFHER, WASNlNG'iDN. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- WILLIAM J. VAN HOBN E, OF SGHENEOTADY, NEY V YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN MEASURES FOR HATS AND CAPS.

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 200,364, dated February 12, 1878; application filed December 28, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. VAN HORNE, of the city and county of Schenectady, in the State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Measures for Hats and Caps, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in Which Figure 1 represents a plan view, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section inthe plane w m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the handles in the plane y'y, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse section in the plane z 2, Fig. 1.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of measures for bats and caps which are constructed of a thin and elastic strip of sheet metal and two handles, which serve to expand or contract the elastic strip, and which are provided with a graduated segment to indicate the size of the hat or cap, such, for instance, as described in the patent granted to J ulius Wehle, August 16,1859,No. 25,154.

In measures of thisj'class, as heretofore constructed, the handles are made of pieces of Wood, connected together by a hinge-joint, and fastened to the elastic strip by metallic brackets, the graduated segment being firmly se-' cured to one of the handles and caused to pass through a slot in the other.

In making the 'j iseveral connections great care must be taken sofas not to split the wood. Much time is required to produce all the parts and, even if ever so well fitted, the wooden handles are liable to become detached, and th measure is rendered useless.

In my measure the handles are stamped up of sheet metal, with a U-shaped cross-section, one handle being made to overlap the other, so that they can be connected by a simple pivot, and another pivot serves to unite the outer end of one of the handles to an eye formed at the end of a bracket, which is riveted to the flexible strip, said eye being made to fit between the sides of the U-shaped handle, while the outer end of the other handle is secured to the elastic strip by a T-shaped bracket, the vertical shank of which fits between the sides of the U-shaped handle, so

that all the parts can be readily prepared and fitted together in a durable manner with comparatively little labor. The graduated segment is provided with a head, which fits between the sides of one of the U-shaped handles, and is firmly secured by rivets.

On the inner surface of the flexible strip is an inch-measure, for the purpose of facilitating and controlling the measure by means of the graduated segment.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a strip of thin elastic sheet metal, one end, a, of which passes through a loop, b, which is secured to the other end, 0, so that said loose end can be moved through the loop in either direction, and the space inclosed by the elastic strip can be increased or decreased at pleasure. To the looseor sliding enda of the elastic strip is secured a handle, B, which is connected by a pivot, d, to another handle, 0, that is firmly secured to that portion of the elastic strip which carries the loop 1).

Both the handles B and G are U-shaped in their cross-sections, and they are stamped up of sheet metal, the handle B being made large enough to overlap the handle 0, so that the pivot 01 can be made to pass through the sides of both handles, and the handle 0 will fold up into the handle B. The connection between the handle B and the elastic strip is effected by apivot, e, which passes through the side flanges of said handle, and through an eye, f, that is formed at the end of a bracket, g, and fits between the side flanges of the handle. The bracket g is secured to the elastic strip by rivets.

ment, 1), which consists of a thin blade, with a head, i, that fits between the side flanges of the handle, and is secured to it by rivets. (See Fi 4..

In the handle B is a slot, through which extends the segment D. The figures and marks on the segment indicate the different sizes of hats or caps.

0n the inner surface of the elastic strip A The handle 0 is connected to the elastic strip A by a T-shaped bracket, h, the

is marked an inch-measure, which controls the graduation of the segment D and facilitates the operation of measuring.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a measure for hats and caps, of a thin elastic metal strip, A, U:- shaped handles B G, made of sheet metal, the handle B being made to'overlap the handle 0, and a pivot passing through the side flanges of both handles, the handles being secured to the elastic metal strip, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, in a measure for hats and caps, of a thin elastic metal strip, A, U- shaped handles B 0, made of sheet metal, a pivot passing through the side flangesof both handles, and a bracket, 9, fitting into an eye between the side flanges of the handle B', for securing said handle to the elastic strip, substantially as set forth.. r

3. The combination, in a measure for hats and caps, of a thin elastic strip A, U-shaped smetal handles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of December, 1877. I

. WILLIAM J. VAN HORNE. [L. s--.]

Witnesses:

D. A. ATW'ELL,. WM. VAN DERMOOR, FRANK J. ATWELL. 

